Rep. MacMaster offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 193.   

            A resolution to urge the Governor to work with Michigan's universities and historic preservation groups, the Consulate General of France in Chicago, and the Great Lakes Exploration Group to develop a public-private partnership to ensure that the archaeological efforts to locate and preserve the artifacts of the Griffin remain entirely a Michigan-based project.

            Whereas, Built by the legendary French explorer, Rene-Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, Le Griffon (the "Griffin" in English) was the first European vessel to sail the Upper Great Lakes. On the return leg of its maiden voyage in 1679, the Griffin became the first of more than 8,000 shipwrecks in those waters as well. Since that time, the search for the ship's location has captivated generations of historians and students of the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes; and

            Whereas, The discovery of ruins that may turn out to be the Griffin has excited scholars and all who take pride in Michigan's rich past. It has also, however, stirred concerns that artifacts that one day may be discovered could be relocated far outside Michigan, far from where they have rested for well over three centuries; and

            Whereas, The project of studying the remains of the wreck thought to be the Griffin is being led by the Great Lakes Exploration Group and the Center for Maritime and Underwater Resource Management (CMURM), a Michigan-based private nonprofit 501(c)(3) scientific and educational organization. The effort includes relationships with the University of Michigan, Michigan Technological University, Michigan State University, and Northwestern Michigan College; and

            Whereas, There are concerns that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, through its Maritime Heritage Program, may try to take over the Griffin project. Should this occur, this federal agency's existing relationships with East Carolina University would likely remove the work and possibly the artifacts out of Michigan. Were this to happen, the multi-layer benefits of this major undertaking, including the expansion of archaeological education in Michigan and the promotion of our state's marine history, would be lost. Clearly, there are strong advantages to ensuring that this work be carried out here and that any artifacts recovered remain here, where the Griffin sailed; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we urge the Governor to work with Michigan's universities and historic preservation groups, the Consulate General of France in Chicago, and the Great Lakes Exploration Group to develop a public-private partnership to ensure that the archaeological efforts to locate and preserve the artifacts of the Griffin remain entirely a Michigan-based project; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the Governor.